Leaving her room and spending time outside was exactly what Pandora needed today. Surrounding her mother’s garden was one of the most spectacular views of Elani’s skyline from the castle. The sky was brighter and tinted orange from the sun’s low glow. She had been out here since the early morning, and the dew had since dried on the flowers all around her, but their fragrance was just as strong. Without a moment of concern for her own safety, she sat on the wide balustrade outlining the garden balcony. Her father loved to host parties here, but she wished he wouldn’t. It was a peaceful place for her, filled with sweet memories of her childhood. And it was the only place in the castle where real plants grew and flourished. She had been told the garden had been her mother’s sanctuary.

As she sat atop the balustrade, her thoughts drifted to her lost love as they usually did. Hale was gone, forever. The results of the search the detective performed proved that he wanted to stay away. Day by day she thought of him less and less. The one time she thought of him today was now, as she did so to realize how little he had been in her thoughts. How surprising. For once, he wasn’t the very first thought she had in the morning. She questioned if it was because of the search results or because of Matthias. Recently, she had been thinking on the kindness he always showed her. Marrying him would make her father happy and, in the future, bring stability to her rein. Matthias was probably the most desirable man of the nobility. When in his presence, it was easy to understand why that was true. He was— he was very—

She looked down at the tablet in her lap. She wanted to continue reading her book, no longer wanting to think about Matthias. She came out to the garden to distract herself by reading a book that had been on her list since she came back to Elani. While waiting to hear back from her father’s answer about opening the castle, she devoted her attention to reading because it helped her avoid any extra anxiety. She had forgotten how much she loved to read. She scrolled down and prepared to continue, but she sensed someone approaching.

She looked up.

“Found you,” he said with a pleasant smile.

She smiled back, only inwardly regretting acknowledging his presence because she knew it meant she wouldn’t get to read anymore today. “Matthias? How did you know I was here? Were you looking for me?”

He leaned against the balustrade and ran a hand through his hair, perfectly parted in the middle with his bangs falling over each side of his face. His dark burgundy hair shone in the sunlight. “I just had a feeling,” he replied.

She narrowed her eyes, emphasizing her skepticism. “Really?”

His eyes had been captivated by the scenery for a few moments and then looked directly upon her. “I’m teasing. I stopped by your room, and Kara informed me you were here. I hope you don’t mind. I didn’t mean to intrude on your alone time.”

She didn’t mind the intrusion, but he didn’t need to know that. “I think I can manage a few minutes.”

Matthias stepped closer to her. The breeze blew against him in her direction. His scent was sweet and woody. Of course, he would smell better than the flowers around her. He never came to her with even a hair out of place. “What are you reading?”

Pandora switched the screen to the book cover and held the tablet up for him to see. “It’s called Unlocking the Universe. It talks about charting stars, how hyperspace works, and explains some mysteries of space.”

His brows raised in surprise. “So, you’re interested in space and science.”

Since she came back to Elani, she had become interested in everything about the galaxy surrounding her planet. Hale had seen so many things she could only dream about or see pictures of. “I like to learn. Sometimes, I need to step away from my problems here and think of a much bigger picture, like the galaxy.” She knew he asked about the book to appear as though he didn’t seek her attention only because he had a request for her. But she was curious to know what he wanted from her. “Why are you here?”

He moved closer. And he stood quite closely to where she sat. His head tilted slightly upwards as he looked at her. “A very important matter, I’m afraid.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve been hearing rumors about you lately.”

She hated that he stopped there and hated that his face remained blank. “What sort of rumors? They’re probably false.” Her mind wandered to the worst thing she could think of. Were the rumors he spoke of about her relationship with Hale?

“Nothing too scandalous,” he assured her with a semi-smile. “If that’s what you were thinking.”

She held a hand over her racing heart. “I just wasn’t sure.”

Matthias placed his hand over hers resting on the balustrade. His long fingers were cold and soothing to the touch. There wasn’t a single imperfection on his milky skin. Not one callus on his palm, she felt.

“Pandora, I happened to hear about something you may or may not have asked your father. I have heard a rumor floating around in our very close circles that you want to open the castle.”

She clenched her hand beneath his. “Where have you heard that?”

“I overheard some of the king’s advisors talking about it. Is that true though?”

“I know what you’re going to say.” She pulled her hand away from him. “But you have to understand why opening up the castle, even if once a week, is so important to me.”

He tapped his fingers on the metal balustrade where her hand had once been. “Are you truly that confident you know what I think about it?”

“My father’s made it clear that the nobility, which includes the Moargans, won’t support me in this. Why would they?”

Turning his head, he stared in the distance at the city. “Because it’s important for the people to know that we care.”

Her heartbeat slowed. “You’re taking my side?”

“Of course, I am. I pray that you will be my future wife. If so, I will always take your side because you want what’s best for the people. No one else cares for them like you do.”

His actions would prove if his words were true, but she believed him. His voice was earnest and hinted slight desperation for her approval. She didn’t want to be someone who fell for the words of a man. But how could she not believe him? He took the time to chase her down just to show support for her against her father’s rejection. Matthias was from one of the most esteemed noble families… and he supported her. Matthias Moargan supported her. Though their marriage would be mostly arranged, was it possible that he had genuine feelings for her. Had he always been telling the truth about wanting her for her and not for her position.

She needed to say something to him. The silence had become awkward. But she didn’t want to speak. She placed a hand on his face, soft like satin. He looked at her with his jade eyes and stared, his forehead slightly crinkling as he tried to decipher what her touch meant. She herself barely knew. She hated acting impulsively, but nothing was more impulsive than what she had decided to do. Sitting on the balustrade, she leaned over and kissed him. It was more accurate to say that she started the kiss. Matthias ran his hands through her hair and brought her closer. He was gentle with her, but he knew that’s exactly what she needed. And when they stopped, she felt his smile on her cheek.

Matthias picked her up off the railing and set her on the ground. He hugged her tightly and rested his chin on her shoulder. “I’m going to talk to your father about your request. If I offer up another perspective, we might be able to convince him to say yes.” He broke away from her and tilted her face to his. “Is it alright if I talk to him about it?”

“Yes. Thank you.” She wanted to say more but couldn’t. Not only did he support her, but he also was willing to speak with her father about it, knowing that he would likely be rejected. Matthias was in a vulnerable position with her father. Any wrong move, and he would no longer be considered for her hand in marriage. However, he wanted to risk it all for her. To make her happy.

“I’ll leave you to your quiet time now.” He stepped away and waved goodbye as he left the garden.

Considering what had happened between them, it would be impossible for her to have enough focus to read.

* * * *

Matthias checked to ensure his bedroom door was locked. He stepped over to his desk and turned on his camera. His hair was slightly frizzy at the top, and he ran his fingers through it to adjust it to his liking. He stood still in front of the camera and awaited the king’s call. He clasped his hands tightly together at his waist. They were sweaty and shaking. As soon as he had finished his conversation with Pandora, he went to his suite to talk with the king. He hoped he could tighten the stupid grin he had on his face whenever he thought of her and what she did. He never thought that was how their conversation would go.

He had the urge to touch the part of his face that she had grasped as she kissed him. Considering how well prepared he was for the kiss, he shouldn’t have been obsessed with ensuring that wouldn’t be their only kiss. But regardless of how ridiculous he felt, he just wanted more from her. More of her.

“Matthias, I’m surprised you spoke to her so soon,” the king said, then took a sip of his liquor.

“I suspected now was an adequate time. Waiting only made me more anxious.”

“What was my daughter’s response?”

Matthias couldn’t stop the smug grin that now spanned his lips. Had he already given it away? “I think I’m getting closer. You’re still certain that you’re going to open the castle?”

“I never go back on my words.”

Matthias stared down at the ground. “My apologies for doubting you.”

“What did she say though?”

“She was extremely surprised that I was siding with her against you. I think she’s more certain of my intentions. I think she trusts me a little more.”

“Good. In three days, you will give her the news that I have agreed to her wishes. She’ll ask why I agreed suddenly, but you can make something up.”

“I doubt she will be too concerned with why you agreed. She does genuinely have a heart for her people.”

The king gave a long sigh. “And that’s why she needs you. You must bring balance to those tendencies. She gives too much.”

Her kindness was poorly received by even her father. It was shameful to him. She wasn’t like the rest of the nobility. The king should have been using that to their advantage in gaining more support from the public. Perhaps she was already popular enough in her father’s eyes. Though she had only been seen by the public in the pictures, they loved her and were captivated by her beauty and the mystery surrounding her.

“I understand, your majesty. So, you would like me to just make something up. What if our stories don’t corroborate?”

“Don’t give her anything specific!” The king looked away from the camera and mouthed something as though there was someone who had come into his office. He turned back to Matthias. “I have to go. Talk soon.” With that, the king hung up immediately.

Matthias then turned off his camera. He sat down on his bed off to the side away from his desk. The king might have been too busy to provide Pandora with a reason to why he changed his mind, but Matthias couldn’t be. The king’s response hinted that he underestimated his daughter’s ability to see through people’s games, like the one Matthias was playing with the king. Finding out about the truth would probably crush her and any hopes of marrying her. And the king didn’t act concerned about it.

From the brief time Matthias had known her, he couldn’t fail to offer her an explanation like the king suggested. What would he say though? Hopefully by tonight he could think of something. Matthias got up and left up his room to go to the kitchen. He needed something to drink.

In the kitchen was his mother sitting at the round dinner table with Pandora’s handmaiden Kara. Matthias waved to both women and went to the cabinet to find a glass. He filled it with water from the filter.

“Hi, Kara, why are you here?” Matthias asked.

“Dear,” his mother interjected, “Kara has come to deliver a message from Pandora.”

Matthias gripped the glass tighter to avoid dropping it. He leaned against the counter behind him. “Um—um— what—what.” He set the glass down. “What did she say?”

Kara smiled knowingly. “She asked if you were busy tomorrow.”

“And?”

“She wants to talk to you. She said to you to come by any time tomorrow.”

“Oh.” Matthias crossed his arms and smiled, while trying to figure out what to say. “How about after dinner?”

“I’ll let her know,” Kara said happily.

Matthias placed his hands in the pockets of his jacket. “Well, I have some things to look over.” He quickly left the kitchen and returned to his room.

He laid on his bed and spread out both his arms and legs across the mattress. The manner in which he excused himself from the conversation could have been perceived as rude by both his mother and Pandora’s handmaiden, but an escape was needed before he stuttered his words more.

Things seemed to be changing so quickly. Now, Pandora called for him. Could it be that she wished to see him? It might have been for business and nothing more. There was no reason for him to get his hopes up. He couldn’t let one kiss destroy his focus on the true goal.

* * * *

When she thought about it now, she couldn’t refute the fact that Matthias was indeed a good kisser.

The first night they met, the moment Matthias walked through the entrance to the garden, she knew she needed to hide how captivated she was by him. Back then, she was certain Hale would come back any day. She didn’t believe that anymore. Though he had the ability to, Hale didn’t attempt to contact her once. That should have been enough for her to move on. But she needed Shahni to confirm that he didn’t want to come back to her. Hale went back to Dunwar. Upon hearing that, it clicked for her. She couldn’t rely on him for future love.

That didn’t mean Matthias was her answer. He kissed her differently than Hale had. He seemed less desperate for her, more patient, surer of himself. Matthias had a plan for their future.

Hale’s passion was more like a wildfire, only to be quelled by his own fears of their future. Each kiss she remembered came with equal parts ice and fire. They couldn’t escape the conflict he felt within his soul, regardless how sure of him she felt from his touch. He only wanted her, but that hadn’t been enough. She couldn’t save him from his life. Had he been destined from the start to feel conflict? Even the gifts Elani had blessed him with conflicted with each other.

With Matthias, she faced different problems. She wanted to believe his intentions were for her, but the nobility were very skilled with hiding their pretenses. Hale had pretenses of his own, but his reasons weren’t to protect himself: they were to protect her from his past.

But Hale couldn’t matter any longer. She needed to focus on her future.

Matthias knocked on her door. Kara informed her when he would arrive. Unsurprisingly, he was exactly on time. She smoothed down her skirt and went to answer the door.

“Good evening,” he said.

“Hi, how are you doing?”

He entered her room, and she directed him to her silver couch along the wall.

“I’m well. Mainly curious about why you invited me over. I was pleased, but it was extremely unexpected.” Matthias leaned back and turned towards her.

Pandora looked at her hands. Lia had given her a fresh manicure with an abundance of gemstones on each fingernail. “I figured we should talk about yesterday. I didn’t want there to be anything awkward between us.”

He smiled. “What would I have to feel awkward about?”

“I didn’t offer an explanation for—”

He held out his hand and waved it back and forth to stop her. “You don’t need to explain. And I understand if it doesn’t change much between us.”

She could breathe once more. “I’d be lying if I said that nothing was different, but I’m glad that I didn’t upset you.”

“Hey,” he placed his cool hand on her cheek, “I wouldn’t have kissed you back.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she turned her head away. “I wanted to be sure.”

“So that’s the only reason you invited me over?”

“Not at all.” She looked back to him. He eagerly waited for her to finish. He had moved closer to her, and his hand rested behind her on the head of the sofa. She wasn’t bothered by his closeness. “I wanted to ask you if you talked to my father yet. I know it’s probably too soon to be asking, but you promised.”

“Actually, I did. I should have reached out to you about it yesterday. I have had a lot going on with my family and province.”

“You did?” She was surprised he had so quickly. “What did my father say?”

“It seemed promising,” Matthias began. “I told him that I could help him with security or anything else he needed. I offered to help you start a charity for the people who visit you. It may not be only money. I was thinking food and shelter provisions. But I wanted to ask if that was something you were interested in.”

Pandora waited to respond. It was as though he had looked at her heart and found one of her greatest desires. Or were their minds linked? Opening up the castle was the first step in her larger plan to help those in need. A charity was the second step. But she hadn’t told anyone about that. She figured she would be lucky if her father would even consider allowing commoners in their home. Never would she have believed Matthias’s heart thought similarly to hers.

“Of course, I would be. I just assumed anything resembling a charity for those in need would be in the far future,” she finally answered.

“I think your dream may be closer to reality. I really emphasized to him how important this was to you. Now all we can do is wait and see.”

This seemed too good to be true. Did Matthias really have a reason for helping her outside of marriage? His actions seemed to be proving his words, but she didn’t want to trust him yet. Time was the true judge of character.